Article
Microbiology
Arwen E. Frick-Cheng, Anna Sintsova, Sara N. Smith, Ali Pirani, Evan S. Snitkin, Harry L. T. Mobley
Summary: More than half of women will experience a urinary tract infection (UTI), with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) causing the majority of cases. Iron acquisition systems play a crucial role in UPEC pathogenesis, and this study reveals the importance of the ferric citrate uptake system as an alternative iron source when other siderophores are limited. Understanding these iron acquisition mechanisms is important for developing new strategies to combat UTI.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Z. Naziri, J. A. Kilegolan, M. S. Moezzi, A. Derakhshandeh
Summary: The study investigated the genetic relatedness, biofilm formation ability, and biofilm-related genes in UPEC isolated from hospital-and community-acquired UTI patients. Results showed that 99% of UPEC isolates demonstrated in vitro biofilm formation ability, with 27% of isolates being moderate to strong biofilm producers, and only the presence of the sfa/focDE gene was significantly associated with moderate and strong biofilm formation. Furthermore, there were higher genetic similarities among UPEC isolates of inpatients compared to outpatients.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Zhou, Zuying Zhou, Lin Zheng, Zipeng Gong, Yueting Li, Yang Jin, Yong Huang, Mingyan Chi
Summary: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections caused by various pathogens, with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) being the most prevalent causative agent. UPEC has shown adaptive evolution in invading the urinary tract and surviving inside cells. Despite the success of antibiotic therapy, the increasing antimicrobial resistance and high recurrence rates pose challenges to its efficacy. Thus, there is a need to explore alternative treatment options, such as vaccines and medicinal plants, that target multiple pathogenic mechanisms of UPEC to combat antibiotic resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Gabriel Kambale Bunduki, Eva Heinz, Vincent Samuel Phiri, Patrick Noah, Nicholas Feasey, Janelisa Musaya
Summary: This study revealed an increasing antibiotic resistance of UPEC isolates, calling for a reassessment of treatment strategies. Additionally, this pathogen exhibited diverse surface and secreted virulence factors.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Shujie Li, Yu Pang, Si Zhang, Qing Li, Qian Wang, Lei Wang, Lu Feng
Summary: This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome profile of UPEC during its intra-BECs life, revealing a new virulence-associated gene and its regulatory mechanism.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shi Wenjie, An Jinxia, Tan He, Jia Mengran, Gao Hui
Summary: This study developed a low-temperature photothermal nanoplatform for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which showed excellent photothermal bactericidal effects. The nanoplatform achieved targeted action against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) through its high affinity, avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rongmei Yao, Xin Mao, Yingli Xu, Xue Qiu, Lirun Zhou, Yaxin Wang, Bo Pang, Mengping Chen, Shan Cao, Lei Bao, Yanyan Bao, Shanshan Guo, Limin Hu, Haijiang Zhang, Xiaolan Cui
Summary: This study reveals the potential mechanism by which Vaccaria segetalis polysaccharides (VSP) interfere with the adhesion and invasion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). VSP inhibits the expression of bacterial adhesion genes and regulates specific molecules in host epithelial cells, reducing the ability of bacteria to invade the host.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xian-liang Zhao, Zhuang-gui Chen, Tian-ci Yang, Ming Jiang, Jie Wang, Zhi-xue Cheng, Man-jun Yang, Jia-xin Zhu, Tian-tuo Zhang, Hui Li, Bo Peng, Xuan-xian Peng
Summary: Exogenous glutamine can enhance the killing effect of antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacteria, promote the influx of antibiotics, increase intracellular antibiotic concentrations, effectively prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, and provide new insights for the prevention or management of chronic, multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, bacterial persistence, and difficult-to-treat bacterial biofilms.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kristian Staerk, Louise Kruse Jensen, Thomas Emil Andersen
Summary: Urinary tract infection is a common and challenging disease to diagnose in pigs. In this study, two commercial urine dipstick tests were evaluated for their diagnostic value in an experimental model of Escherichia coli UTI. The results showed that positive dipstick tests for blood, leucocytes, and nitrite were highly specific for E. coli UTI, with a 100% positive predictive value.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Seyedeh Elham Rezatofighi, Mahsa Mirzarazi, Mansour Salehi
Summary: UTI, caused by UPEC, is a common bacterial infectious disease with significant morbidity. The genetic structure and virulence factors of UPEC vary between clinical and commensal isolates, with B2 and D phylogenetic groups strongly associated with UPEC. Understanding the epidemiology and characteristics of UPEC isolates in different regions is crucial for controlling UTI. Interfering with intestinal colonization, particularly in pathogenic clonal lineages like B2, may help reduce the burden of UTI.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Timothy Kudinha, Fanrong Kong
Summary: The study found that the papGII gene is more closely associated with other VF genes compared to the papGIII gene in E. coli causing urinary tract infections, explaining the abundance of these genes in pyelonephritis and cystitis isolates.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Qingqing Gao, Xi Li, Senyan Su, Lei Yang, Song Gao
Summary: Research on APEC strain E516 indicates that deletion of c2515 and c2516 genes affects bacterial siderophore production, growth under iron-depleted conditions, interference with iron uptake in host cells, colonization in animal hosts (such as chickens), and pathogenicity.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ulrik Engelsoy, Maria A. A. Svensson, Isak Demirel
Summary: In this study, it was found that estradiol exposure increased UPEC growth and biofilm formation, as well as colonization and invasion of bladder epithelial cells. Additionally, estradiol altered the expression of genes associated with iron acquisition system and metabolic pathways in UPEC.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Chen Chen, Wei-Chia Lee, Yao-Chi Chuang
Summary: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections in healthcare settings, with a high rate of recurrence. Conventional antibiotic management may lead to multidrug-resistant uropathogens. Therefore, alternative non-antibiotic solutions targeting the pathogenicity of UTIs and inadequate host defenses are being explored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Allyson E. Shea, Jolie A. Stocki, Stephanie D. Himpsl, Sara N. Smith, Harry L. T. Mobley
Summary: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) causes urinary tract infections (UTI) in nearly half of women worldwide, and the role of the ila locus in UPEC uropathogenesis remains unclear. This study found that the ila locus is related to bladder cell adherence and invasion, and its loss may affect the fitness of UPEC during UTI.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna S. Amiss, Jessica B. von Pein, Jessica R. Webb, Nicholas D. Condon, Peta J. Harvey, Minh-Duy Phan, Mark A. Schembri, Bart J. Currie, Matthew J. Sweet, David J. Craik, Ronan Kapetanovic, Sonia Troeira Henriques, Nicole Lawrence
Summary: Bacteria that inhabit intracellular niches can evade host immune responses and antimicrobial molecules. Cell-penetrating antimicrobial peptides from horseshoe crabs show broad antimicrobial activity and can effectively target UPEC bacteria.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Laura Alvarez-Fraga, Minh-Duy Phan, Kelvin G. K. Goh, Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu, Steven J. Hancock, Luke P. Allsopp, Kate M. Peters, Brian M. Forde, Leah W. Roberts, Matthew J. Sullivan, Makrina Totsika, Scott A. Beatson, Glen C. Ulett, Mark A. Schembri
Summary: Many antibiotic resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains belong to clones defined by their multilocus sequence type (ST), with ST131 being the most dominant. Although we have a good understanding of resistance development to fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins by ST131, our understanding of the virulence repertoire that has contributed to its global dissemination is limited. Afa/Dr fimbriae genes are found frequently in ST131 strains, and the integration of insertion sequence (IS) elements in the afa regulatory region leads to altered virulence capacity.
Article
Microbiology
Emily L. Gulliver, Brandon M. Sy, Julia L. Wong, Deanna S. Deveson Lucas, David R. Powell, Marina Harper, Jai J. Tree, John D. Boyce
Summary: Regulation in P. multocida involving the RNA-binding protein Hfq is required for hyaluronic acid capsule production and virulence. This study further expands our understanding of riboregulation by examining the role of a second RNA-binding protein, ProQ, in transcript regulation and abundance in P. multocida. The analyses demonstrated that ProQ binds to specific RNA targets and stabilizes sRNAs and transfer RNAs in P. multocida.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stephan Brouwer, Magnus G. Jespersen, Cheryl-Lynn Y. Ong, David M. P. De Oliveira, Bernhard Keller, Amanda J. Cork, Karrera Y. Djoko, Mark R. Davies, Mark J. Walker
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that the ABC transporter substrate binding protein GshT is a crucial component of the glutathione salvage pathway in glutathione-auxotrophic GAS. Host-acquired glutathione is essential for the GAS antioxidant defense system, enabling it to evade the host innate immune response. This study provides mechanistic insights into how extracellular bacterial pathogens like GAS exploit host glutathione for their own benefit.
Article
Immunology
Anu Chacko, Ali Delbaz, Indra N. Choudhury, Tanja Eindorf, Megha Shah, Christopher Godfrey, Mathew J. Sullivan, James A. St John, Glen C. Ulett, Jenny A. K. Ekberg
Summary: Streptococcus agalactiae can invade the central nervous system via the nose-to-brain path, with increased load after epithelial injury. The bacteria can survive in glia and induce cytokine production, with the capsule affecting cellular responses and survival.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Brandon M. Sy, Jai J. Tree
Summary: Bacteria use environmental cues to control the expression of virulence genes, including temperature and iron levels. In the human pathogen EHEC, the expression of the chuA gene is regulated by cAMP-responsive small RNA and transcriptional terminator. These results demonstrate that the expression of the chuAS gene is regulated by multiple signals and occurs at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Mark A. Schembri, Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu, Minh-Duy Phan
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Pengbo Ding, Ji Lu, Yue Wang, Mark A. Schembri, Jianhua Guo
Summary: This study reveals that commonly prescribed antidepressants can promote the conjugative transfer of multidrug resistance genes in bacteria and enhance plasmid transfer across bacterial genera. The underlying mechanisms include the induction of reactive oxygen species and the SOS response, increased cell membrane permeability, and upregulation of conjugation relevant genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stuart W. McKellar, Ivayla Ivanova, Pedro Arede, Rachel L. Zapf, Noemie Mercier, Liang-Cui Chu, Daniel G. Mediati, Amy C. Pickering, Paul Briaud, Robert G. Foster, Grzegorz Kudla, J. Ross Fitzgerald, Isabelle Caldelari, Ronan K. Carroll, Jai J. Tree, Sander Granneman
Summary: In this study, the researchers used RNase IIICLASH to investigate the RNA-RNA interaction network in multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus under different culture conditions, and found that the expression of small membrane-permeabilizing toxins is strongly regulated by sRNAs. This research provides important insights into the mechanisms of virulence regulation in drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel G. Mediati, Julia L. Wong, Wei Gao, Stuart McKellar, Chi Nam Ignatius Pang, Sylvania Wu, Winton Wu, Brandon Sy, Ian R. Monk, Joanna M. Biazik, Marc R. Wilkins, Benjamin P. Howden, Timothy P. Stinear, Sander Granneman, Jai J. Tree
Summary: This study investigates the RNA-RNA interactions associated with RNase III in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using the CLASH technique. The findings suggest that S. aureus utilizes mRNA-mRNA interactions to regulate gene expression, and deleting a specific mRNA 3' untranslated region (vigR 3 ' UTR) can resensitize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics and impact cell wall thickness.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Matthew J. Sullivan, Kelvin G. K. Goh, Glen C. Ulett
Summary: This study reveals a new and important mechanism of cross-system complexity driven by CopY in GBS to regulate cellular management of metal stress and survival.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicky O'Boyle, Gillian R. Douce, Gillian Farrell, Nicholas J. W. Rattray, Mark A. Schembri, Andrew J. Roe, James P. R. Connolly
Summary: The ability of bacterial pathogens to adapt to host niches is driven by the carriage and regulation of genes. The Escherichia coli TF YhaJ exhibits distinct genome-binding dynamics and transcriptome control in different host niches. YhaJ coordinates the activation of fimbriae and the biosynthesis of amino acids.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew J. Sullivan, Darren Prince, Kelvin G. K. Goh, Lahiru Katupitiya, Dean Gosling, Michael R. Crowley, David K. Crossman, Glen C. Ulett
Summary: A novel system was developed to study the co-transcriptome of intracellular Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and host cells. Analysis of the co-transcriptome revealed dysregulated genes in intracellular GBS and significant remodeling of the monocyte transcriptome. The study identified the Streptococcal Histidine Triad Protein (sht) as a key gene in GBS virulence.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Zheng Jie Lian, Minh-Duy Phan, Steven J. Hancock, Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu, David L. Paterson, Mark A. Schembri
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular components controlling I-complex plasmids, which are frequently associated with antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. The study identifies genes involved in replication, stability, and conjugative transfer, and highlights the importance of a well-conserved secretion system in plasmid dissemination.
Article
Microbiology
Laura Alvarez-Fraga, Minh-Duy Phan, Kelvin G. K. Goh, Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu, Steven J. Hancock, Luke P. Allsopp, Kate M. Peters, Brian M. Forde, Leah W. Roberts, Matthew J. Sullivan, Makrina Totsika, Scott A. Beatson, Glen C. Ulett, Mark A. Schembri
Summary: This study identified the widespread presence of genes encoding Afa/Dr fimbriae in UPEC ST131 strains, and demonstrated how the integration of IS elements in the afa regulatory region affects Afa expression, altering its virulence. Evidence suggests that IS1 elements have a more widespread impact on ST131 genome evolution.
